Mad King was the last Targaryen Ruler and father of Daenerys Targaryen.
Aerys II Targaryen, also known as The Mad King, was the last ruler of the Targaryen dynasty and the father of Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaegar Targaryen, and Viserys Targaryen. Aerys was kind, generous, and thoughtful when he was a young king at the beginning of his reign. He was much revered by the lords and the common people of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
His hand was Tywin Lannister, Lord of Castelry Rock and House Lannister who was also his close friend and trustworthy advisor. He later became suspicious and paranoid of his council resulting in his imprisonment for six months, where he eventually became completely mad.
Why is he called the Mad King?
Aerys II Targaryen is called the Mad King as he became outrageously murderous; he gained immense pleasure watching people burn. When his eldest son Rhaegar allegedly kidnapped Lyanna Stark of Winterfell. When Lyanna’s brother and father, Brandon and Rickard Stark, protested against this atrocity, he saw this as rebellion from House Stark and The North.
Thus as a result, he imprisoned both Brandon and Rickard and later burned them alive in Wilfire, causing an immense rebellion against him and his reign. Some also say that it is the Targaryen’s incestuous nature that is one of the factors that led Aerys to his madness and eventual downfall.
Does the Mad King appear in Game of Thrones?
The Mad King appeared briefly in Bran’s vision in season 6, episode 6, titled ‘Blood of my Blood’; he was seen yelling “burn them all!” in an anguished fury showing even just for a brief second how mad and bloodthirsty he really was. Bran was becoming the three-eyed raven when he saw a series of flashbacks, and one of them was days before Robert’s Rebellion. The Mad King was sitting on The Iron Throne at The Red Keep.
Who are the children of the Mad King?
The eldest child of Aerys II is Rhaegar Targaryen, who allegedly kidnapped Lyanna Stark. Rhaegar married Elia Martell of House Dorne, and Rhaegar’s unintentional mistake caused Robert’s Rebellion and the decline of House Targaryen. Rhaegar died in a duel against Robert Baratheon.
Aerys’ second son’s name is Viserys and he wants to restore House Targaryen and take revenge against Robert Baratheon; he wants to gather the Dothraki army by selling off her sister, but unfortunately, his arrogance and pride lead Khal Drogo to kill with melted gold.
Aerys’ youngest child Daenerys is a strong and wise woman who eventually went through a lot; she suffered more than any Targaryen in history, she was sold off his by brother to marry Khal Drago in exchange for Dothraki army, and she eventually took control of Drogo’s people when he died. Her experiences and struggle led to her becoming one of the most powerful Queen in Westeros as well as Essos.
FAQs
Q. Why can Daenerys not have babies?
A. Daenerys believed that she couldn’t have babies as she was cursed by the witch Mirri.
Q. Is Daenerys the Mad King's Daughter?
A. Yes, Daenerys is the Mad King’s daughter.
Q. What did the Mad King do to Ned Stark's father?
A. Mad King brutally murdered Ned Stark’s father, Rickard, by burning him alive with wildfire.
